Gates and fences use different materials, such as wood and vinyl; some even opt for bushy hedges. But for HDB gates, the crowd’s favourite is metal.

An HDB metal gate can be made of wrought iron, cast iron, stainless steel, and aluminium. Each type of metal has advantages and disadvantages.

This article will compare wrought iron and aluminium to determine which of the two HDB gates suits you the best. Find out the answers by reading this article.

HDB Metal Gate: Wrought Iron VS Aluminium

Metal is indeed one of the most indestructible and secure materials you can use for gates. No wonder why people opt for metal as their HDB main doormaterial. Besides the strength, metals don’t fall short in the aesthetics department.

This part will help you identify which of the two, wrought iron or aluminium, gets the upper hand in several categories.

1. STRENGTH AND SECURITY

Wrought Iron

Wrought iron is superior metal to aluminium, especially in the strength department. Wrought iron is heavy: it cannot be toppled by strong gusts of torrential rain. It can even withstand collisions and brute force. It would take time for a metal cutter to cut through wrought iron.

Because of its known strength, wrought iron gates are used in prisons, garages, and commercial gates. Get a wrought ironHDB metal gate if you value home security.

Aluminium

Compared to wrought iron, aluminium is lightweight and less sturdy. It may start to wobble amid powerful gusts. They are prone to scratches and dents as well. A metal cutter can easily cut through aluminium.

Because of its susceptibility to damage and brute force, aluminium is rarely used in areas that need high security. However, they are favourite materials for residential gates, mainly for their decorative qualities.

If you consider strength in your priorities, wrought iron HDB gateswin this round.

2. DURABILITY

Wrought Iron

Wrought iron is durable during non-optimal days. Wrought iron can indeed withstand storms, collisions, and brute force, thanks to its strength.

However, on the optimal days, wrought iron is not as durable as aluminium. Wrought iron does rust due to rain and moisture, so homeowners need regular upkeep, such as brushing and removing the rust and repainting.

During challenging seasons, wrought iron is durable, but when it comes to wear and tear and longevity, wrought iron is a bit behind the aluminiumHDB main door.

Aluminium

Aluminium is not as superb as wrought iron in withstanding extreme weather, collisions, and brute force, due to its sturdy build.

Nevertheless, aluminium has the upper hand in the durability, longevity, and wear and tear department. Aluminium does not rust and requires little to no maintenance at all.

If you live in a place that is barely visited by harsh weather and looking for a long-lasting HDB metal gate, an aluminium gate is the go-to.

In this round, the winner depends on your priorities. Do you prefer strength and durability? Or longevity and durability?

3. AESTHETICS AND DECORATION

Wrought Iron

Wrought iron is the go-to gate if you want a classic look for your HDB main door. Many historical infrastructures have wrought iron gates and fences as their hallmarks.

Most wrought iron gates and fences come in a black finish, but the homeowners have the decision to repaint them in different colours. Repainting is crucial in wrought iron; apart from giving it a new look, painting your wrought iron HDB metal gate also delays rust.

However, wrought iron is not as versatile as aluminium. Wrought iron often tends to stick to clean, straight lines or twisted bars.

Aluminium

If wrought iron is for the classic and historic look, aluminium is for modern contemporary interior and exterior designs. It is mainly because of the shiny and metallic look of the aluminium HDB gate design.

Aluminium is known for its silver or metallic look that does not need any painting. But homeowners are free to paint their aluminium gates in any colour. Aluminium can also be powder-coated into different colours, including bronze, silver, grey, or white. The powder coating can last up to 20 years.

Since aluminium does not rust and has a shiny appearance, it always gives a brand new look years after if well-taken care of. Aluminium is flexible and versatile as well. Besides straight and twisted lines, they can form arches as well.

Wrought iron and aluminium have a unique appearance. It is up to you if you prefer a classic or modernHDB gate design. But when it comes to versatility and colour options: aluminium wins the round.

4. MAINTENANCE

Wrought Iron

The major downside of owning a wrought iron HDB metal gate is rust. Wrought iron rust easily due to moisture and precipitation.

Homeowners must scrape off the rust using a wire brush every ten years and apply a protective coating and another layer of paint. The more the gate is exposed to extreme weather changes and precipitation, the more it needs maintenance.

Neglecting oxidation would affect the pristine classic black look of the wrought iron gate.

The good thing about wrought iron, or metal gates generally, is that they are indestructible by pests and animals, such as termites and rats, unlike wood.

Aluminium

Aluminium gates have the upper hand against the wrought ironHDB gates. Firstly, they don’t rust, so there is no need for scraping off rust and recoating.

Secondly, even if dents and scratches are present on your gates, it won’t cause rust but would affect the overall HDB gate design and appearance.

Lastly, cleaning would only involve hosing down or rinsing the gate to remove mud, dirt, and other debris. There is no need to worry about water exposure since aluminium is water-resistant.

If you find gate maintenance every ten years exhausting, go for basically maintenance-free aluminiumHDB gates.

Takeaway

Wrought iron and aluminium are two of the most common materials for anHDB metal gate.

Each metal has its advantages and disadvantages. It is up to you to weigh these pros and cons based on your considerations. So which of the two best suits your needs?

Liminal

Do you need high-quality, durable, and stylish HDB gates? Visit Liminal. Liminal has an extensive collection of HDB metal gates. Browse Liminal’s collections today.